The Providence of God Debate Assignment.

The doctrine of the Providence of God concerns itself with the relationship between
God and his creations. That is, the reality of God and the reality of cosmos. The doctrine is a
theological explication of the point of encounter, which exists between the actions of God
towards his creation and the actuality of that creation before its God. Accordingly, the
doctrine of providence may be defined as the Christian understanding of God’s continuing
actions by which all creations is preserved as well as governed by God’s plans and purpose
for that creation 1 . This paper focus is the doctrine of Providence. Specifically, the paper
seeks to consider as well as illuminate the nature of God’s providence activity in the world
and how that is related to human activity. The paper will look into the profound and
searching questions concerning humanity and God.

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The nature as well as facts of the above issue flow from the point of encounter of the
relationship. Some believers sometimes, develop theological conceptions of the character and
nature of the God of Providence in the light of the divine self-revelation. On the other hand,
believers who exist both in and as a part of the creator’s creation are simultaneously faced
with the so-called “real world” of human history as well as human existence. 2 This is to say,
those who confess the Christian God as the object of their worship have the understanding of
God’s providence actions and purpose towards his creation sometimes juxtaposed with their
perceptions of the conditions of that creation before its God. Despite our desire for better
understanding as well as clarity of the doctrine of providence, it is worthy to acknowledge,
both the limitations and possibilities of the theological investigations and debates. With
limitations of the debates or inquiry, it is worthy to recognize the differences that exist

between approaching theology as a problem to be solved rather than as a mystery to be illuminated or discerned. 3 In his examination, of God’s Providence, and impassibility of God,
Weinandy points out some differences. He says that many theologians having embraced the
enlightenment presumptions as well as the scientific methods it fostered, approach
theological issues as if they were scientific problems that need solving rather than mysteries
to be discerned as well as clarified. He continues to argue that the goal of theological debates
is not the resolution of theological problems, but the discernment of what the mystery of faith
is. Because God, who never be comprehended, lies at the heart of all theological debates,
theology by its own nature is not a problem solving enterprise, but a mystery discerning one 4 .
Alongside the recognition of the integral limitations of theological inquiry, there is a
sense in which we should likewise recognize its possibilities. Even though, by its nature
theological inquiry is concerned with divine mystery, it is still, to borrow earlier Augustinian
phrase, faith-seeking understanding. This is divine mystery as well as human understanding is
not incompatible or mutually exclusive in a total sense. Together with the mystery of divine
mystery stands the possibility of more understanding, discernment, and clarification, but not
total comprehension, of the mystery and this requires each successive generation to do it.
The concept of providence
The doctrine of Providence goes beyond the concept of pre-vision of what is to come.
Although the idea of foresight has been an integral part of the doctrine, it also includes a
sense of providing for or planning for a need that is envisaged. In this way, then, pre-vision
has developed into pro-vision. In the context of Providence, this provision has been
understood in an existence as well as a comprehensive sense. This means that there is divine provision for all things, and divine overruling of all things; God’s provision comprises of not
only the divine envisaging of what is to come, but also the divine direction of all that is to
come. The comprehensiveness of providence means that God’s attention is concentrated for
all time and everywhere. His care is microscopic and telescopic 5 .
Such is the traditional understanding of the divine Providence that it is somewhat
surprising to know the scarcity of the appearance of the actual world in the scriptures 6 .
Billheimer, in his introduction to his volume on Providence commented that the word
“providence” does not appear in the scripture, any more than the world trinity 7 . He continues
to say that the world does appear in some English translations of the bible, but not in a very
consistent way. Therefore, it would seem that the appearance or non-appearance of the word
depends more upon the textual critical judgment of the translators as well as these judgments
vary from translation to translation. For instance, it does appear in the KJV and NIV, but in
different locations, being Job 10:12 and Acts 24:2 8 respectively. The latter carries the
meaning of “to give attention beforehand, to have in mind to do,” and the former carries the
meaning of “oversight, visitation.” The Providence of God Debate Assignment.
From the above, two things result. One, we get to see that near absence of the explicit
terminology does not in itself negate the existence of the implicit reality. In other words, the
scarcity of the word’s occurrence simply alerts us to the possibility that the notion of
Providence is one that is implicit in the bible rather than explicit. Two, the implicit nature of
biblical evidence for Providence means that, our study is able to avoid the pitfalls of an over- reliance, upon etymological word studies in theological development. The over-reliance has
sometimes led to convoluted theological conclusions 9 . For example, Bar pointed out the
misleading nature of this type of method as well as how it leads to comically absurd
conclusions.
As a result, we can say that the doctrine of providence is drawn from scripture in
general rather than scripture in particular. It is a doctrine, which is seen in the background of
what the Bible is showing rather than the foreground. The Providence of God Debate Assignment.On occasions, Providence is brought to
the fore in an explicit way. For instance, “In him we were chosen, having been predetermined
according to the plan of him who works out everything in conventionality with the
determination of his will” (Ephesians 1: 11 NIV). However, more often it continues as an
implied, necessary backdrop to the entire Biblical story. 10
Shared understanding about the doctrine of Providence
The Christian church has studied scripture for centuries and it is noteworthy the extent
to which it has reached common agreement over its understanding of providence. For
instance, the definitions of Providence advanced by different communities and theologians of
the Christian church, although somewhat different in choice of expressions or words, are
consistent in relation to the fundamental content or idea of the doctrine 11 . This does not, in
any way ignore the vital differences, which exists between Christians concerning their
understanding of Providence, but there does appear to be a sense of a core of shared belief.

9 Hall, C. G.. "An Unsearchable Providence: The Lawyer's Concept of Act of God." Oxford Journal of Legal
Studies 13, no. 2 (1993): 227-248.
10 Genevieve, L. Providence lost. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 2008), 58
11 (Genevieve, 2008, 64)

This core of understanding can be seen by comparing the theological statements about
Providence. Bloesch says that Providence refers to the mystery interplay of divine action and
human reaction, which brings the divine to fruition 12 . On the other hand, Oden enlarges upon
this saying that providence is the expression of the divine power, will, and goodness, by
which the Creator preserves creatures, cooperates with what is happening through their
actions as well as guides creatures in their long-range purposes 13 . When Erickson viewed
Providence, he stated that to us, it means the continuing action of God by which he preserves
in existence the creation that he has brought into being, and guides it to his envisioned
purpose 14 .

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Across these entire varying theologians, it is visible that there is a consistent
understanding of the core of what is meant by providence. There are differences in the
language used, but there is a clear sense that Providence involves God’s upholding of the
established order, his working with his creatures as well as his guidance of history toward a
consummation. For instance, the following definitions, one Catholic, and the other Protestant
show a general agreement concerning the criticality of God as the divine provider; the
enmeshment of God’s care as well as direction with human agency and the presence of a
divine plan, purpose or goal. From the Protestant point of view, they see providence as the
“…superintendence, preservation, and teleological direction of things by God. It is the divine
law whereby all possible events are made into one coherent pattern and possible
developments are molded to complete the divinely instituted objective.” 15 The Catholics on the other hands, through the views of Wright, see it as “…the divine care of the universe,
God’s guidance of history as well as human affair toward the achievement of his purpose.” 16
When we look at the creedal as well as the confessional statements on the doctrine of
Providence, we note that there is a similar sense of unity within diversity- that is, there is a
core of understanding shared across the Protestants, orthodox, and Catholic communities. 17
Each of these traditions differ in some way in the authority ascribed to creeds or confessions,
but the statements of belief give insights onto what is and what is not shared understanding in
relation to the doctrine of providence. Some of these confessional statements address
themselves directly to the doctrine of Providence, while others indirectly. 18 This is well
understandable for all of them are situated and thereby sensitive to the particular theological
climate of the time, yet despite this they make some helpful as well as representative
statements. The Providence of God Debate Assignment.
Articulating Agreement Concerning the doctrine of Providence
By looking at a broader range of doctrinal statements, it is possible to articulate more
specifically this understanding by stating it in a positive and a negative way: that is, by
identifying that which it stands against and which it affirms. In respect to the former, it is
notable that the doctrine of providence stands against any emphasis upon divine
transcendence, which would lead to a deistic understanding of the world/God relationship. In
other words, there is an assumption that an ongoing relationship exists between created and
the Creator. This means that God continues to be actively involved with his creation. 19

16 Hall, Christopher A., and John, Sanders. Does God have a future? A debate on divine providence. (Grand
Rapids, Mich.: Baker Academic, 2003.), 48
17 (Truitt, 2009, 468-469)
18 (Hall and John, 2003, 63)

8

Again, we see that this core of common belief concerning divine Providence is
likewise set against an over-emphasis in the opposite direction. That is, it opposes a
perspective that would over-emphasize divine immanence to the extent of embracing, a
pantheistic understanding of the world/God relationship. Relating, this is interesting to note
that one confessional statement from Catholicism identifies pantheistic views of providence
as errors that ought to be stigmatized 20 . In other words, distinction is drawn between God
and the creation.
Lastly, the core of shared understanding concerning Providence stands against a
fatalistic understanding of the relationship between God and the world. This is to mean,
alongside statements concerning the over-ruling or governance of all things by God, there
stand statements likewise emphasizing the actions of humanity who are held responsible for
such actions. In another dimension, Providence involves interrelationship or enmeshment, as
it were, of both human and divine aspects 21 . The presence of the creator, who rules over the
reality and the world, does not induce a type of human passivity. Humanity is to be, in some
sense, seen as being free and responsible and, standing alongside the divine provider. We
recognize that this raises some very large issues, but it is sufficient to note that any
conception, which disallows the efficacy of a human dimension, as fatalism does, stand in
this core of shared belief concerning Providence. As weber has categorically said, “… in the
encounter with God, every possibility of have faith in in fate is destroyed. 22 ”

19 Goldsworthy, G., “Ontology, and Biblical Theology. A Response to Carl TrueMan’s Editorial: A
Revolutionary Balancing Act,” Themelois 28.1 (2002): 37 -57.
20 (Billheimer, 2003, 105)
21 (Goldsworthy, 39-42)
22 Weber, O., Foundations of Dogmatics (Grand Rapids: Eardmans, 1981), 92

9

Having gone through Pantheism, fatalism, and Deism as perspectives that are
incompatible with the church’s general understanding of divine Providence, we can look at
the aspects that appear to be affirmed. In summary, we note that universality of divine
Providence is emphasized in many debates and the scope of Providence is understood as
encompassing all things 23 . Again, the emphasis is put on the continuity of divine Providence.
The universality of God’s Providence means a dimension of continuity. Lastly, the doctrine
appears to affirm what is referred to as continuity. Here, it is notable that Providence is
shown as having essentially two dimensions in which God acts, and both dimensions are
placed in juxtaposition with each other, even though the exact terminology varies. The Providence of God Debate Assignment.
Conclusion
Acknowledgement of the presence of both continuing and revelation mystery is
simply to realize that though God has spoken, it is emphatically God who has spoken. In
other words, since God who cannot be fully comprehended who is at the heart of all
theological debates, the task here is less the solving problems than the illumination as well as
discernment of the profound mystery. Indeed, when the moments comes, as surely, that our
capacities are exhausted in contemplation of God’s Being as well as actions, it is appropriate
at that moment to remind ourselves that this realization is in our conscious. This is because
God is in Heaven and we are on Earth. The Providence of God Debate Assignment.

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Bibliography

Billheimer, P.E. The Mystery of His providence. Eastbourne, UK: Kingways. 2003.
Bloesch, D.G. God the Almighty: Power, Wisdom, Holiness and Love. Downers Grove: IVP.
1995.
Goldsworthy, G. Ontology, and Biblical Theology. A Response to Carl TrueMan’s Editorial:
A Revolutionary Balancing Act. Theme Lois 28, no, 1 (2002): 37 -57.
Erickson, M. J. God in three Persons: A Contemporary Interpretation of the Trinity. Grand
Rapids: Baker Books, 1995.
Hall, C. G. An Unsearchable Providence: The Lawyer's Concept of Act of God." Oxford
Journal of Legal Studies 13, no. 2 (1993): 227-248.
Hall, Christopher A, and John Sanders. Does God have a future? A debate on divine
providence. Grand Rapids, Mich: Baker Academic, 2003.
Lloyd, Genevieve. Providence lost. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 2003.
Oden, T.C. The Living God: Systematic Theology. San Francisco: Harper, 1993.
Ormerod, N. Chance And Necessity, Providence And God. Irish Theological Quarterly 70,
no. 3 (2005): 263-278.
Truitt, E. R. The Providence of God Regarding the Universe. Part Three of the First
Principal Part of The Universe of Creatures (review). Journal of the History of Philosophy
47, no. 3 (2009): 468-469.
Weber, O. Foundations of Dogmatics. Grand Rapids: Eardmans, 1981.
Weinandy, T.G. Does God Suffer? Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003. The Providence of God Debate Assignment.